Spend RM1.7 bil to build another LCCT?

Sometimes, I just don't understand how things work in Government agencies when I read this news about LCCT not being a permanent building after the government spent RM108 million to construct the terminal.

The terminal was opened in March 2006 and is currently handling 10 million passengers a year and it will soon reach it 15 million passengers limit in two years time, meaning that the terminal only has a life span of three years!

Does this mean MOT (Ministry of Transport) waste RM108 million to construct a terminal which can only be used for three years and three years later the Ministry has to fork out another RM1.7 billion ringgit to build an all new LCCT. making the total expenses to construct a terminal for low-cost carriers mount up to RM1.808 billion?

Something is wrong in MOT when they could not plan before build!

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August 12, 2007 18:36 PM

Present LCCT Never Meant For Permanent Terminal - Chan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The present Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at the KL International Airport (KLIA) is never meant to be a permanent terminal, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Sunday.

He said it was built to meet the urgent need at that time.

"The present LCCT, we needed it urgently, but it is never meant to be a
permanent terminal from day one," he told reporters when explaining the rationale for the decision to build a new LCCT, which can cater up to 30 million passengers a year, close to the KLIA.

Chan also pointed out the RM108 million existing terminal could not be expanded due to space constraints.

"We need a new permanent LCCT to cater for the need of the increasing
number of budget carrier passengers as the present terminal will reach its 15 million-a-year-passenger capacity in two years' time," he told reporters after opening the Arts of Wong Teng Hee - A 70 Retrospective Exhibition.

Chan said the existing terminal was already congested with almost 10 million passengers a year since its opening in March last year.

"The new LCCT will have a very big potential when it is completed in four to five years' time. It will also have room for future expansion," he said, adding that it would have
the capacity to accommodate 30 million passengers a year.

An industry expert said, the new LCCT project, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday, would cost about RM1.7 billion.

Asked what would happen to the existing LCCT, which was completed in just eight months, Chan said several options are being considered, including converting it into a cargo terminal.

-- BERNAMA